10
BEIJING — One of Canada's top medal hopes at the running track failed to get out of the first-round heats after Tyler Christopher said he was laid low by a flu bug.
Christopher, a Chilliwack, B.C., native living in Edmonton, was eliminated from the group trying to advance to the 400-metre semi-finals after he finished fifth in his heat. U.S. favourites Jeremy Wariner and LaShawn Merritt and Chris Brown of the Bahamas cruised through.
While they jogged in easily at the National Stadium — Brown the fastest in 44.79 seconds — the Canadian could never find his second gear. Christopher trudged home in a disappointing 45.67. His heat went to Andrew Steele of Britain in 44.94.
"Disappointed is an understatement," he said as he walked through the maze of mixed-zone barriers where reporters congregated. "Not making it to the final would be a disappointment. Not making it out of heats is ridiculous."
Tyler Christopher looks dejected after failing to qualify in the 400 metres. (Ryan Remiorz/CP)
Videos
The medals kept coming fast and furious for Canada at the Beijing Olympics on Sunday, as the country's athletes hit the podium multiple times for a second straight day
Related Articles
Photogallery
Christopher, the Canadian record holder (44.44) and world indoor champ, said training in Singapore had gone well, but he arrived feeling out of sorts from Canada and had not been able to get out of bed until two days ago. "I thought I was over it. I guess it took more out of my body than I thought.
"I had just one slow speed. I ran the first 300 metres the way I wanted, then when I said to myself, it's time to finish off and close, there was nothing there. … Whatever, [stuff] happens. A lot of good people don't get out of their race. I guess I'm just one of them. My body was fatigued. It hurt to touch, hurt to even lie down."
Christopher usually is an explosive runner, one who travels well on adrenalin.
He wasn't pleased after failing to qualify for the Athens Olympics of 2004 and vowed not to let that happen again for Beijing. He took a significant stride in that direction by winning a bronze medal in the 400 at the 2005 world athletics championships in Finland.
Then came the Brazilian Pan American Games where he was caught almost flat-footed when the starter's gun went and his rivals sped off like startled farm animals. Fuelled by anger and adrenalin, Christopher ran down everyone except Brown of the Bahamas. After the race, Christopher booted a lane marker, swore, slammed a door and was escorted to a room to cool down.
